2025 Dutch Grand Prix: all you need to know

Fans gather on the sandy dunes overlooking Zandvoort's sweeping circuit. Circuit Zandvoort is often likened to a rollercoaster, with dramatic elevation changes and fast, flowing curves that swoop through the coastal sand dunes . The 4.259 km track features 14 turns and a unique old-school character -- it's narrow with little runoff and punishing gravel traps, meaning drivers have minimal room for error . Notably, Zandvoort was modernised for F1's return with steeply banked corners (Turn 3 and Turn 14 boast banking over 18°, far steeper than Indianapolis's ~9°) . This banking, combined with constant undulation, makes the circuit a high-downforce challenge that current drivers call "pretty insane" and "old-school" . Adding to the difficulty, the track sits by the North Sea -- coastal winds often blow sand onto the asphalt, temporarily reducing grip and keeping teams on their toes in dialing in the cars .

Key Corners

Tarzanbocht (Turn 1): Zandvoort's iconic first corner is a 180-degree hairpin at the end of the main straight. It's very wide with a large braking zone, making it the prime overtaking spot -- but also a scene of frequent tussles and occasional contact . The Tarzan corner was reprofiled with 18° banking for F1's return, allowing drivers to carry more speed in and offering multiple lines through the turn. Mistakes here are costly, as a gravel run-off is waiting to punish anyone who oversteps the limit .
Hugenholtzbocht (Turn 3): A tight left-hander that was transformed into a "whirling bowl" in the 2020 upgrades . This slow corner features progressive banking up to 18°, enabling drivers to take different racing lines . The result is higher exit speed heading uphill toward the next section, but it's a real challenge to nail the throttle on exit. Expect to see cars hugging the inside or running high on the bank -- and possibly some daring side-by-side moments given the space the banking creates.
Scheivlak (Turn 7): A mighty fast right-hand sweeper over a crest, regarded as one of the most challenging corners on the track. Scheivlak starts on top of a dune and then plunges down to the right . Drivers approach at high speed and need absolute commitment -- it's often said this blind, high-G bend separates the heroes from the rest . With fresh run-off improvements it's safer than decades past, but the corner's character remains unchanged. A confident car setup and serious bravery are required to take Scheivlak nearly flat out.
Arie Luyendykbocht (Turn 14): The final corner, named after the two-time Indy 500 winner, was dramatically overhauled into an 18-degree banked finale . This long, sweeping right-hander slings cars onto the pit straight at high speed. The steep banking (max 32% gradient) means drivers can keep the throttle pinned and even run side-by-side, which was impossible in the old layout . Crucially, this corner sets up overtaking -- the banking allows closer following and creates a slingshot effect down the straight, increasing slipstream battles and overtakes into Turn 1 . It's an overtaking enabler by design, but also a test of nerve, especially if winds or damp conditions make the car unstable through this high-speed sweep.

Overtaking Opportunities

Overtaking has historically been tricky at Zandvoort due to its narrow width and constant succession of bends . Drivers barely get a break between corners, making it hard to follow closely and pass. As a result, qualifying position and race strategy are especially crucial here. That said, there are a couple of key overtaking zones to watch:

Main Straight into Tarzan (Turn 1): This is by far the best overtaking spot. The circuit's main straight is equipped with a DRS zone to help cars close up, and it ends in the heavy braking for Tarzanbocht . The combination of DRS slipstream and the wide, banked entry gives drivers a chance to dive down the inside or even try an outside move. We'll likely see plenty of action here, especially on the opening lap and restarts. The new banked final corner was explicitly designed to allow cars to follow closely and charge into Tarzan side-by-side , so expect some bold lunges and defensive duels at Turn 1.
Second DRS Zone (Turn 10 to Turn 11): Zandvoort features two DRS zones in total . The second is a shorter run on the back side of the circuit: after Turn 10 (a fast right-hander), a DRS activation zone leads into the Turn 11-12 chicane (Hans Ernst Bocht). This straight isn't very long, but a quick car exit out of Turn 10 can set up a passing attempt under braking for the chicane. Overtakes here are more challenging -- the approach is narrower and the chicane is tight -- yet a brave driver might pounce if the car ahead has a poor run or struggling tires. We may also see switchback attempts through this section if two cars fight side by side.

Beyond these areas, passing is limited. Sections like the twisty middle sector and high-speed Turn 7-8 complex are essentially single-file. The nature of the track "locks" drivers into line, so any overtakes outside the main zones will require either a big pace delta or a mistake from the car in front. In summary, look for most of the wheel-to-wheel battles into Turn 1, and occasionally into Turn 11, while elsewhere drivers will be focused on pressuring rivals into errors. The difficulty of overtaking here puts extra emphasis on pit strategy and undercuts to gain track position during the race.

Tyre Selection and Strategy

Tyre strategy will be a focal point in the 2025 Dutch GP, especially given Pirelli's compound choices. For this year, Pirelli has opted for the middle range of its slick tyre compounds: C2 (Hard, white), C3 (Medium, yellow), and C4 (Soft, red) . This trio is actually a step softer than what was used in Zandvoort last year . In 2024, the hardest compounds (C1, C2, C3) were brought and three-quarters of the field managed a one-stop race, indicating durability was too high . By going softer in 2025, the goal is to introduce a bit more degradation and push teams towards a two-stop strategy or alternative tactics -- which should spice up the strategic variety.

Zandvoort's layout puts significant energy through the tyres. It's a relentless sequence of corners, many of them long or banked, meaning the rubber is under near-constant load. As Pirelli's Mario Isola notes, the two steep banked turns (T3 and T14) create higher stress than normal corners -- the vertical and lateral forces at high speed heat up the tyres considerably . Managing tyre temperatures and wear will be critical, especially on the left-hand side of the car which takes a pounding through fast right-handers like Scheivlak. Teams will likely favor the Hard and Medium for race stints, using the Soft primarily for qualifying or short aggressive runs, since a heavy car on soft C4s might suffer on this demanding track surface.

Another factor is Zandvoort's abrasive new asphalt and the sandy environment. The fresh track surface (laid for F1's return) offers decent grip but can be rough, and if gusts blow sand onto the circuit, grip can drop off suddenly . This could lead to higher wear or tricky conditions until the racing line cleans up again. All of this will influence strategy: we might see earlier pit stops if tyre wear is higher than expected, or conversely, safety cars or Virtual Safety Cars could offer "free" pitstop windows that teams will be eager to seize (as happened in previous Dutch GPs). With Pirelli's slightly softer selection, a classic one-stop (Hard--Medium) might be on the edge -- teams may hedge for two stops unless conditions allow otherwise. And of course, any appearance of rain would throw dry-tyre plans out the window (more on the weather below).

Weather Outlook and Its Impact

Weather may turn out to be the wild card of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. After a sunny start to the week, forecasts predict a swing to wet and windy conditions as race day approaches . Temperatures are set to drop to around 17--20°C during the event days -- notably cooler than the 28°C earlier in the week -- which will make it tougher for drivers to get heat into their tyres and maintain optimal grip . Strong coastal winds from the southwest are also expected throughout the weekend, averaging around 15--20 mph (24--32 km/h) . These gusts can unsettle the cars, especially in Zandvoort's exposed high-speed sections; for example, a headwind or tailwind through the banked final corner can alter a car's balance and make the entry onto the straight quite challenging . The wind chill will make the air feel cooler than it is, further complicating tyre warm-up and engine cooling.

As for precipitation, teams should brace for on-and-off showers. Friday's practice sessions have a chance of light rain (estimates around 25--45% during running) with a blustery breeze, meaning the track could be intermittently damp . Saturday looks to bring the heaviest rain of the weekend -- expect periods of showers mixed with brief sunshine . The probability of rain during final practice and qualifying is roughly 30--35%, so qualifying could turn into a lottery if a rain cloud rolls in at the wrong moment . Teams will need to be vigilant in timing their runs, as a drying (or wetting) track could decide the grid.

For race day on Sunday, the latest forecast indicates about a 48--50% chance of rainfall by the time we go racing in the afternoon . In fact, the likelihood of rain is expected to increase as the race progresses, so we might see strategic gambles on whether to start on slicks or inters if the track is only lightly damp at lights-out . Any intermittent rain would create a tense strategic dilemma: deciding the perfect moment to switch from dry tyres to intermediates (or vice versa) could make or break a race . A well-timed pit call could gain huge advantages -- recall that Zandvoort's tight layout makes passing difficult on track, so getting the tyre call right if conditions change is one of the few ways to leapfrog competitors. Even if the rain stays light, the constant threat of showers will keep engineers busy plotting scenarios. And if the track stays mostly dry, those strong winds still mean drivers must be cautious; a sudden gust could catch a car out under braking or blow slippery sand onto the racing line. In short, expect the unexpected from the skies over Zandvoort -- a wet and windy Dutch GP could produce some chaos and opportunity in equal measure .

Historical Records and Statistics

Zandvoort carries a rich history, and its recent return has already produced some notable stats. The Dutch Grand Prix was a staple of the F1 calendar from the 1950s through 1985, then vanished for 36 years . In 2021 the race finally made a comeback at Zandvoort -- the same venue as all previous Dutch GPs -- much to the delight of the "Orange Army" of fans. Fittingly, local hero Max Verstappen dominated those initial modern races. Verstappen took victory in 2021, 2022, and 2023 on home soil , repaying his fans' support and firmly establishing Zandvoort as a fortress for the Dutchman. However, 2024 saw a new winner: Lando Norris triumphed in a mixed-condition race, snapping Verstappen's streak (Verstappen still finished second) . That means coming into 2025, Red Bull's three-year unbeaten run at Zandvoort has been broken -- a storyline to watch if Verstappen aims to reclaim the top step at home.

In terms of outright speed, the official lap record at the modern Dutch GP stands at 1:11.097, set by Lewis Hamilton during the inaugural comeback race in 2021 . That blistering time is a benchmark for race pace on the current layout. The circuit length (4.259 km) and race distance (72 laps) have remained consistent since F1's return, making comparisons year-to-year straightforward . We've also seen Zandvoort's tight nature lead to strategic variety -- for instance, the 2022 race featured multiple safety cars and saw the top three drivers each use all three tyre compounds in the race , highlighting how unpredictable factors can shake up the script here.

Looking further back, Zandvoort's legacy includes Jim Clark as the most successful driver at the Dutch GP with 4 wins (all in the 1960s) . Among teams, Ferrari has historically notched the most Dutch GP victories with 8 in total -- a record that dates back to the classic era (though Ferrari hasn't yet won here since the event's revival). And for a bit of trivia: the last Dutch Grand Prix before the long hiatus, in 1985, was won by Niki Lauda in what turned out to be the final victory of his storied F1 career . Zandvoort truly has seen legends make history.

As we enter the 2025 edition, all eyes will be on whether new records or memorable moments are forged. Can Hamilton or another driver beat that lap record in qualifying? Will Verstappen match Jim Clark's four Dutch GP wins? Or might we witness another surprise victor like Norris was last year? One thing is certain: the Dutch Grand Prix's mix of passionate home fans, unique circuit thrills, and unpredictable elements will continue to deliver storylines for the F1 history books . Get ready for an exciting weekend in the dunes!